A 29-year-old man is facing over a dozen charges, with the potential for more, after two brazen armed carjacking incidents in the GTA this week, police say.
In a news release issued Thursday, Toronto police said officers responded to a shooting call in the Dundas Street E. and River Street area around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Investigators say a man was walking in the roadway when he pulled out a gun and tried to open the door of a vehicle stopped at a red light.
The man shot the driver, which caused serious injuries, investigators say. He then approached another vehicle and again tried to open the door, before firing his gun and narrowly missing that driver, according to the news release.
The accused then approached two more vehicles and unsuccessfully tried to open their doors, before heading to a fifth vehicle and pointing his gun at the driver, according to the news release.
That person got out of their vehicle and the man drove it away from the area, before pulling into a parking lot near the Lake Shore Boulevard E. and Carlaw Avenue area, police say. He then got out, pulled out his gun and once more, approached another vehicle and demanded the keys.
Man arrested, handgun found: police
Officers arrived at the scene, and after a quick foot chase the man was found a short distance away and arrested. Police say they recovered a loaded handgun at the time.
The accused, who is of no fixed address, now faces over a dozen charges linked to Wednesday evening’s incident, including multiple counts of attempted murder, robbery with a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle involving violence and failing to comply with the terms of his probation. He briefly appeared in court via video link Thursday morning and is scheduled to have a bail hearing Friday.
Court documents show the man had allegedly breached the terms of his probation in May of this year, after being previously charged with robbery and fraud in 2021.
Premier Doug Ford commented on the arrest at an unrelated event Thursday, saying more needs to be done to keep violent offenders behind bars — though data shows the vast majority of Ontario jails are already operating at or above capacity, and the majority of criminal cases in the province are now ending before charges are tested at a trial.
“It’s the most ridiculous thing,” Ford said about the latest carjacking arrest.
“We need tough judges and tough [justices of the peace] when it comes to crime. People are fed up with it.”
Duty Insp. Steve Campoli of Toronto police described the accused in this case as a “dangerous individual” when speaking with reporters Wednesday evening.
“We are still working to establish a complete timeline. However, what is critical to know is this: The suspect is in custody and there is no further threat to public safety,” he said.
Toronto Duty Insp. Steve Campoli speaks to reporters on Wednesday after police arrested a man who allegedly shot at vehicles on Highway 401 on Tuesday. (CBC)
Same man linked to 401 carjacking
The arrest comes a day after the same man, police say, opened fire at several passing vehicles on Highway 401 in Mississauga. More than 10 vehicles were shot at in the eastbound lanes near Dixie Road, they allege.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said the man is also believed to have stolen a vehicle in that incident. No one was seriously injured, they said.
OPP officials told Ontario Chronicle Thursday morning that preliminary charges for the accused, for which officers have obtained a warrant, include attempted murder with a firearm, multiple counts of robbery with a firearm, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order and discharging a firearm with intent.
As the investigation is ongoing, officials may amend or add to those charges, the OPP official said.
OPP Duty Insp. Sean Chatland thanked the public for providing numerous tips and dashboard camera footage that helped the investigation.
“This investigation has been complex and constantly evolving, ultimately resulting in a victim being hospitalized and a suspect being arrested. Our thoughts are with the victim and their family at this time,” Chatland said.
